Against the Bleus, Türkiye’s golden generation seek redemption | OneFootball

After a disappointing World Cup, Türkiye face the Bleus in Izmit on Friday at 20:45 to begin their Nations League A campaign. Arda Güler fronts a squad eager to move on despite key absences.

According to Le Progres, a summer tipped to be a fairytale began with lavish hopes. Twenty-four years after their last World Cup, 2005-born Arda Güler, Kenan Yildiz and Can Uzun led a feted generation.

It then unravelled, with defeats to Australia, 0-2, and Paraguay, 0-1, despite the latter being down to 10 men before the break, sealing elimination before the final game. Across those two matches they took 62 shots without scoring.

This jarred after a Euro 2024 quarter-final, underlining the gap between individual talent and collective control. A 3-2 win over the United States in the dead rubber added gloss without changing the picture.

Montella’s attacking approach drew criticism in Türkiye, notably his reluctance to field a number nine and his use of some youngsters. He stays in post and may look to Deniz Gül as a central option after three straight starts for Galatasaray, though a Friday start is unconfirmed.

Selection issues bite. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yildiz are out, as is Mert Müldür, while Orkun Kökçü has a toe problem and is very doubtful after missing training.

There is still enough to trouble France, with Güler in bright Real Madrid form and transitions likely to be key. Zinedine Zidane expects Türkiye to pose problems and rates Güler’s talent and personality. League A now offers a test against Europe’s elite and a chance to stay among them.

Source: Le Progres

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”